Straw-dispensing device



. 1,646,983 Get. 25, 1927- B. SHOUN STRAW DI SPENS ING DEVICE FiledSept. 24, 1923 FIG (m /MA GHOHIUH Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES i 1,646,983 PATENT orrica GEORGE IB. SI-IOUN, OF FAIRFAX,OKLAHOMA.

STRAW-DISENSING DEVICE.

Application filed September 24, 1923. Serial No. 664,467.

My invention relates to containers for straws, such as are used for sodafountain purposes.

The objects of my invention are as follows: I

First: to provide a container composed of metal frame, and a removabletransparent filler.

Second: to provide a container composed of a metal frame that the fillermay be either glass, or flexible transparent material.

Third: to provide a container with a conical bottom so that the lowerends of the straws will concentrate to the center.

Fourth: to provide a container having a hoist that will engage with astop that is made removable.

Fifth: to provide a container that the filler can be replaced whenmarred or broken, thereby avoiding the purchase of a complete device.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of my container.

Fig. 2 is a top view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is cross section taken on looking in the direction of arrows.

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail through the frame filler and stop.

Fig. 6 is an inside view of the stop and rib to which it is attached.

Fig; 7 is an outside view showing the smooth head of the stud.

The following is a more precise description of my device, in which 1 isthe base, 2 is the longitudinal rib-s supporting a top ring 3, and onsaid ring is fitted a lid 4, said lid having flanges 5 adapted to fitover said ring 3 for enclosing the container for dust proof purpose, 6is a connecting rod, the shaft of which attached to a ball 8 as hangingmeans for said rod which is adapted to slide through sleeve 7 which isclosing means for the aperture and on opposite end of said rod is firmlyattached a funnel bottom 9, the said bottom is of proper diameter toengage closely with the walls of the container and is so formed that theend of the straws resting on said bottom will slide to the center whichis means for assisting top ends of said straws to flare when raised forthe purpose of withdrawing one for use.

In the side of said container approximately where shown, and passingthrough one of the ribs is the stop, firmly attached, and said stopcomposed of a sleeve 10, havline 3,

ing a flange 11 for broader contacting surface on the filler 9. 12 is astud, being threaded to match the threads of sleeve 10, the head 13 orsaid stud is smooth for the purpose of its appearance, and to remove ortighten the members 10 and 12, the thumb or finger is placed on the endof head 13, and may be turned by friction. By this means of tighteningsaid members it will eliminate the possibility of breaking the filler,should it be made of glass, and also eliminates the unsightliness of theusual eye, which sooner or later becomes marred by the use of a screwdriver.

I do not confine myself to any particular kind of transparent filler asit may be made of glass, celluloid, or other transparent material, andin the event of breakage of the filler, this part can be easily replacedat much less cost than to purchase the entire device, which is the caseof the present type that is in use.

I also call attention to the fact that if a flexible transparentmaterial is employed, there is less danger of breakage, should thedevice meet with unusual accident than if the filler was made of glass,however the glass will have a better appearance and it a will beoptional with the purchaser or user of the device which he prefers.

To operate the container, the lid is raised and the container filledwith straws, and

when lowered, the container is of sufficient height that the lid 4 doesnot contact the straws and to remove the straws for use, the

patron takes hold of the protruding members of the lid, raising itupward to a possible height shown by dotted lines 14, allowing thestraws to flare outward more readily by reason of the funnel bottom, andwhen the straw is removed, it may be dropped to its normal position,concealing the contents of the container.

I also call attention to the fact that the base of my container isweighted by filling in the base with lead, as shown at 15, the object ofwhich is to provide suflicient weight that the container will not beeasily overturned.

Such modifications may be made as lie within the scope of the appendedclaim, and having thus described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a straw dispensing device, a conically concaved base and a ring equalin diameter to theconcaved portion of the base, three rib membersequally distributed peripherally to connect said base and ring in such aWay that a translucent filler Wi1l-be supported thereby, a lid having anoutwardly extending apertured sleeve centrally positioned, a rod havinga funneled member on one end thereof to slidably engage longitudinal-1y,a ball on theouter or opposite end of the rod as closing means for theaperture and lifting means for the said member When the lid is beingraised, all as, and for the purpose "described,

' GEORGE B. SHOUN.

